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SILVERTON — Several entrepreneurs tell Silverton town officials they should give a woody biomass central-heating plant a shot.
Unlike most towns, Silverton has no delivery of natural gas, which is cheap. Instead, buildings are heated by coal, which is messy, or by propane, which is expensive.
David Gibney, of Forest Energy Systems, a firm based in Show Low, Ariz., says that Silverton has a nice layout for a central heating system. Several buildings in close proximity burn coal for heat. As well, streets remain mostly dirt. As such, they could be dug up without great cost for installing of the underground hot-water lines.
At least one other Colorado town -- Oak Creek, which is near Steamboat - has heard a similar pitch for a centralized heating system. It, too, relies primarily on propane and coal.
Energy-performance contractors tell Colorado Biz Magazine in the June issue that woody biomass heating plans, such as one being installed at a recreation center in Fairplay, Colo., compete very well with propane. The investment will be repaid in only two years.
The Silverton Standard & the Miner reports that the town board there took no action. However, one trustee, Jim Lindaman, questioned whether there is enough wood available in surrounding forests, even if a bark beetle infestation hits.
Unlike most towns, Silverton has no delivery of natural gas, which is cheap. Instead, buildings are heated by coal, which is messy, or by propane, which is expensive.
David Gibney, of Forest Energy Systems, a firm based in Show Low, Ariz., says that Silverton has a nice layout for a central heating system. Several buildings in close proximity burn coal for heat. As well, streets remain mostly dirt. As such, they could be dug up without great cost for installing of the underground hot-water lines.
At least one other Colorado town -- Oak Creek, which is near Steamboat - has heard a similar pitch for a centralized heating system. It, too, relies primarily on propane and coal.
Energy-performance contractors tell Colorado Biz Magazine in the June issue that woody biomass heating plans, such as one being installed at a recreation center in Fairplay, Colo., compete very well with propane. The investment will be repaid in only two years.
The Silverton Standard & the Miner reports that the town board there took no action. However, one trustee, Jim Lindaman, questioned whether there is enough wood available in surrounding forests, even if a bark beetle infestation hits.
Union to take up case of fired ski patroller
MT. CRESTED BUTTE — The union representing ski patrollers at Crested Butte Mountain Resort is going to bat for Billy Rankin, a ski patroller who was fired by the resort company. Grounds for protest were not disclosed, nor did Rankin return a phone call seeking clarification.Ken Stone, the chief operating officer at the resort, told the Crested Butte News that we will not choose outside vendors or suppliers or employ people “who have a conflict of interest with the company's vision or policies.”
Rankin is a member of the Crested Butte Town Council, and in that capacity he voted to send a letter from the town to the Forest Service expressing concerns about the expansion of the ski area onto a new mountain, called Snodgrass. The letter also recommends the Forest Service not allow the expansion.
The handbook signed by employees of the resort stipulates that employees agree not to take action against the company or put themselves into situations where conflicts of interest could arise. Rankin admitted to the newspaper that he had not read the handbook when he signed it.
